For all the people
impatiently waiting
on tax refunds.

A grapevine for taxpayers,
by taxpayers.

Interact with people who have experiences or questions just like you.

All of your tax refund questions, answered.
What Other People Are Saying
49,361 comments

Where’s My Refund?

You have questions, we have answers.

key tax return and refund dates

When can you file your taxes?

You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.

Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.

When does the IRS accept tax returns?

The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.

When is the IRS test batch?

If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.

When will I get my tax refund?

Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.

Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?

The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.

A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.

tax refund grapevine

This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.

IRS Update Cycle

Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.

Transcripts

This is what your IRS transcript can tell you about your tax refund.

Transaction Codes

Lookup the codes that you see on your tax return transcript and what they mean.

Daily vs. Weekly

Find out if you have a daily or weekly account with the IRS and what it means.

When are Updates?

The IRS has regular mass update cycles.

WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?

Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.

WHEN DO transcripts update?

Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.

talk to a human

It is often hard to reach someone at the IRS and you might want to talk to a person. It is hard to reach some tax preparation companies too. Use our guide to talk to a human at the IRS.

TAX TOPIC 152

Tax Topic 152 is the most common status when you check the status of your tax refund. It is nothing to worry about.

transcript codes

Transaction Codes (TC) sometimes called transcript codes consist of three digits and may appear on your IRS account transcript. Decipher the codes on your IRS transcripts.

reference codes

Most times the Wherer’s My Refund tool (WMR) will show Tax Topic 152. Other times you may see various error codes. These are called Reference Codes on the WMR.

Join the Conversation

What Others Are Saying

  1. bobeatz

    @Graciousgambino: its definitely glitching out because signed back in from my phone it showed amount paid to you but didn’t show the fee amounts but then it did some seconds lated

    Reply
    3
  2. TND

    @bobeatz: It better be glitching out. mine is 0.00 as well.

    Reply
  3. TNDIV

    @bobeatz: it better be glitching out. These jokers steal our money its on…

    Reply
  4. bobeatz

    @VeronikaKnox: i think its glitching out

    Reply
    1
  5. bobeatz

    @VeronikaKnox: I logged in from my phone and it 00.00 again. Im like what is going on

    Reply
    1
  6. VeronikaKnox

    @Graciousgambino: crap now every line says $0 & “unknown” for DD! It also changed from funded to unfunded so now I’m starting to get worried 😟

    Reply
    1
  7. bobeatz

    @Zeethegeek979: yeah it did it again but it changed back

    Reply
    2
  8. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Adera: From my understanding, I believe they are.

    Reply
  9. Tifffn

    @Sheila_33: @Zeethegeek979: mine is also showing 0.00 and not changing

    Reply
  10. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @wade123: Let me do some checking. I know freetaxusa will let me do an amended on mine free but unaware what the others are.

    Reply
  11. Graciousgambino

    @VeronikaKnox: mine did the same then I logged out and back in and it went back to what it normally said! The refund amount to me at bottom still no trace number! I thought o had some action lbvs

    Reply
    1
  12. VeronikaKnox

    *UPDATE*-Just checked SBTPG and now it has $0 under “Amount paid to you” 😭😭 does this mean that maybe they’re adding tracer #’s?? The anticipation is killing me

    Tax Preparer: TurboTax
    Date Filed: Jan-29
    Fees: From Refund
    Bank: CreditKarma
    Bars: 2nd Bar
    Date Accepted: Jan-29
    Transcript: Online
    Cycle Code: 0705
    As of: Mar-10
    Processing Date: Mar-3
    WMR DDD: Feb-25
    Refund Advance: CreditKarma

    SBTPG shows funded but no trace # yet 😱 I sure hope we get pur DD tonight or tomorrow!

    Reply
    2
  13. Zeethegeek979

    @bobeatz: mine did for a second, but just changed back. I almost had a heart attack lol

    Reply
    2
  14. MichelleM197154

    Filed TT DDD 2/24 denied 5 days sooner went to cross river. Just hit chime account at 12:58 CST. Hold on everyone its coming !

    Reply
    1
  15. VeronikaKnox

    Tax Preparer: TurboTax
    Date Filed: Jan-29
    Fees: From Refund
    Bank: CreditKarma
    Bars: 2nd Bar
    Date Accepted: Jan-29
    Transcript: Online
    Cycle Code: 0705
    As of: Mar-10
    Processing Date: Mar-3
    WMR DDD: Feb-25
    Refund Advance: CreditKarma

    SBTPG shows funded but no trace # yet 😱 I sure hope we get pur DD tonight or tomorrow!

    Reply
    2
  16. wade123
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-17
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Sheila_33: Hey quick question, TAS wants me to prepare an amended return. However Tax act is trying to charge me for this. Do you know site that allows you to complete a return with 1 w2 employer and 1 1099 for free. Its the 1099 that’s the issue. Everyone wants big bucks to prepare the 1099

    Reply
  17. Stephrod101

    @bobeatz: Yes I am like WTH Now!

    Reply
    1
  18. Newhere

    @Missty: mine did and my fiancés so I am hoping they are updating trace numbers maybe

    Reply
    1
  19. anoel06
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Feb-14
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Feb-14
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250905
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-17
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Montana.NotSignedIn: SAME, actually! Last 3-4 years daily. No movement, still saying non filing with account transcript blank and saying as of 3/10 tho. I feel less worried that it’s not just me. Smh

    Reply
  20. Missty

    @bobeatz: LOL!!!! Mine did let’s hope it means we are updating those tracer numbers so they can release our moneeeeyyyyyy

    Reply
    2
  21. Jay Jay not logged in

    @Morris: did you pay fees

    Reply
  22. Adepa

    Please are they garnishing federal tax because of student loans this this year?

    Reply
  23. bobeatz

    anybodys amount paid to you on SBTGT changed to 00.00 for no reason, thats still waiting a 2/26 dd

    Reply
    8
  24. PaMan

    I just got my refund from Cross River

    Reply
    3
  25. Farmergirl

    @ErisedMai: thank you

    Reply
  26. SamfromMA

    Mine finally posted to chime! DDD 2/24, TT with fees coming out and paid for the 5 days early

    Reply
    2
  27. Yaaay!!! Did you have a trace number??? I'm in the same boat. Just waiting for CK to deposit... Scared that because I don't have a trace number yet that I'll be waiting until Weds.

    @BanbooPanda:

    Reply
  28. CaseyR8515

    @Omega dread from Florida: Not mine.
    The number says it posted 2/25, which is tomorrow. The emerald card number says my fees have been paid.

    So why I don’t have my money yet is beyond me and I’m super frustrated

    Reply
    1
  29. Omega dread from Florida

    Any emerald card hits yet

    Reply
  30. Stephrod101

    So the IRS website states “by the 26th” Why is Sbtpg holding our money if the IRS is not stating “On” the 26th.

    Reply
    3
  31. Missty

    @Tonicmo88: yes if you don’t see those tiny numbers under your “amounts paid to you” don’t expect to see anything in your account đŸ˜©đŸ˜©

    Reply
    2
  32. CaseyR8515

    @ImCASHINoutđŸ€‘: what was you DDD?
    They have mine but the phone number says the money has been added to my emerald card but for 2/25

    Hoping it still posts today

    I’m super frustrated. I used to always use JH and my refund always came a day before the DDD. I appreciate the loan amount was higher with H&R Block, got the $4k upfront, but I need the rest of my money today or I’m gonna get kicked out of my apartment. Owe the landlord some back money he wants TODAY

    Really be great if they’d just release the money they already have

    Reply
    2
  33. Quana

    @Tonicmo88: that’s what I wanna know. Been funded since Friday night and still no trace number . 2/26 DDD

    Reply
    3
  34. Tori3

    Deposit hit at around 12pm EST today….DDD was 2/24 through TT

    Reply
    3
  35. Miami-Dade305

    Hey everyone wanted to let yaw know that my ddd was for 02/26 woke up this morning and it wasn’t there fell back to sleep woke up a few minutes ago and my money was sitting there piled up on top of each other all pretty đŸ€© I have chase bank btw. Hope this helps

    Reply
    4
  36. Patrice

    Anyone get their refund through Netspend with a DDD of 02/26 yet?

    Reply
  37. SamfromMA

    @Needmymoneynow: what bank? My DDD is 2/24 and I have chime and still waiting

    Reply
  38. Vee2021
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Venmo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0805
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-21
    • I Got My Refund!

    DD is 2/26 still waiting

    Reply
    2
  39. EmmyB

    Filed 2/18 and got DDD 2/26. 8 days ia the quickest I have ever received and I am pretty sure I am a daily

    Reply
  40. Needmymoneynow

    Denied 5 days early by TT, funds sat at Cross River for nearly a week. Finally received at 12:58 today. Never ever ever again using TurboTax, and not because I got my deposit on my ddd, but because of their lack of transparency in why denials occurred, what the next steps would be, etc. for nearly a week we had no answers or conflicting answers – Cross River saying it’s on TurboTax and TT saying it’s Cross River. Nobody seemed to know their head from their arse and it was incredibly frustrating. And for those who say you didn’t read the fine print – I did, multiple times, and much of what occurred was NOT disclosed in the fine print either. Anyway – just glad it’s over.

    Reply
    3